Joe Flacco

The Baltimore Ravens drafted quarterback Joe Flacco out of the University of Delaware with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Flacco was expected to serve as the Ravens' third-string quarterback as a rookie, but a shoulder injury in training camp landed starter Kyle Boller on injured reserve and backup Troy Smith was sidelined with a severe tonsil infection, elevating Flacco to the team's No. 1 spot.

Flacco started every game for the Ravens as a rookie, leading Baltimore to an 11-5 record. During the regular season he completed 60 percent of his passes (257-for-428) for 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Baltimore Ravens drafted quarterback Joe Flacco out of the University of Delaware with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. Flacco was expected to serve as the Ravens' third-string quarterback as a rookie, but a shoulder injury in training camp landed starter Kyle Boller on injured reserve and backup Troy Smith was sidelined with a severe tonsil infection, elevating Flacco to the team's No. 1 spot.

Flacco started every game for the Ravens as a rookie, leading Baltimore to an 11-5 record. During the regular season he completed 60 percent of his passes (257-for-428) for 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Flacco became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first two playoff starts. Flacco and the Ravens fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game, ending the season with a 13-6 record.

Flacco was born Jan. 16, 1985 in Audubon, N.J. He began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to Delaware and starting for the Blue Hens as a junior and senior.
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Athletes First, a Newport Beach-based sports agency that represents some 80 professional football players, joined forces with the Orangewood Children's Foundation to present the 2012 Athletes First Classic.